Editing Life

 “Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past, and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities.”-Gordon B. Hinckley

President Gordon B. Hinckley was the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was a teenager and young adult. Many of his talks were so inspiring to me, because he was such a optimist. He shared several messages with the youth of my time, that we could do better and be better. 

I remember believing that I could be a better person, because of his faith in us. When the prophet of God shared those thoughts, it taught me that I needed to figure out how I could follow his counsel. 

Fast forward several years, and I have learned a lot from following that counsel. Specifically, how that guidance has led me to make some pretty significant life choices, and the positive consequences that have come from following through with decisions. 

How does this all connect with applying editing principles to living the gospel? 

Well, as it turns out, it connects perfectly. 

When I think of the word 'edit', I think of making necessary changes to something. When we decide to become better, specifically by being disciples of Jesus Christ, we are editing our old selves, and designing our new selves. Taking out what is useless or burdensome, and either leaving it out altogether, or tweaking it so it can be useful again. 

In short, editing means repenting. Being molded like the clay that we are in God's hands. And it's very possible to edit out even the hardest things about ourselves, if we're only willing to put in the work. Then President Gordon B. Hinckley knew that, just as our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, knows it now.